Property Management in London, Ontario: A Major Market Overview

London's rental market is one of Ontario's largest outside the GTA. Here's what investors and managers need to know.

Property Management in Ontario

London is Ontario's fifth-largest city and has one of the province's most active rental markets. Western University, Fanshawe College, London Health Sciences Centre, and a significant manufacturing base create diverse, stable rental demand.

Western University creates a massive student rental market in the university-adjacent communities of Masonville and Byron. Student rental in London operates on academic year cycles with peak listing activity from November through January for September occupancy.

Key Responsibilities and Best Practices

London's general residential rental market serves a diverse population. Healthcare workers, university staff, manufacturing employees, and public sector workers all contribute to a stable, multi-layered tenant population.

Property standards enforcement in London is active. The city has a rental housing bylaw with licensing requirements for certain property types. Understanding London-specific licensing requirements before acquiring rental properties prevents compliance surprises.

How D&D Property Management Helps

Average rents in London are moderate compared to Waterloo Region and the GTA, making the city accessible for tenants while providing reasonable returns for investors who acquired properties at historically modest prices.

The London market has appreciated significantly over the past decade. Investors who entered early have seen substantial equity growth; those entering now pay prices that require careful cash flow analysis.

Property management in London benefits from local market knowledge — understanding the specific dynamics of the university district, the general residential market, and the manufacturing-adjacent communities requires experience in each segment.

Devon Moore, Operations Lead Co-Founder & Operations Lead — D&D Property Management

Devon Moore is the co-founder and Operations Lead at D&D Property Management, managing rental properties across Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and Waterloo Region.